Pi Day 2008

Today is Pi Day... a celebration of pi, that little symbol that us math and engineering geeks have learned to love since initially being exposed to it in high school geometry or calculus. My alma mater (Georgia Tech) even has a Pi Mile Race every year.

For those who are not in the know, pi is the symbol for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter.

If you don't have your handy calculator present, Pi = 3.1415926535... therefore, it is only fitting that on March 14th (3/14) at 1:59:26 PM we celebrate Pi Day... check out the Pi Day Rap below!

Solution: Legs in the Bus?

Last week, I posted the Legs in the Bus brainteaser. It's a pretty challenging math problem; it is not a trick question. Some people got it right (David after a couple of attempts, Anali, and Karen ) and others - who will remain nameless - didn't even come close.

There are 7 girls on a bus

Each girl has 7 backpacks

In each backpack, there are 7 big cats

For every big cat there are 7 little cats

So how many legs are there in the bus?

Scroll down past the NaBloPoMo badge to see the solution.

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plezWorld Solution

There are 7 girls on a bus

Each girl has 7 backpacks

In each backpack, there are 7 big cats: 7 girls x 7 backpacks/girl x 7 big cats/backpack = 343 big cats

For every big cat there are 7 little cats: 7 girls x 7 backpacks/girl x 7 big cats/backpack x 7 little cats/big cat = 2401 little cats

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7 girls x 2 legs/girl = 14 girl legs

343 big cats x 4 legs/cat = 1372 big cat legs

2401 little cats x 4 legs/cat = 9604 little cat legs

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14 girl legs + 1372 big cat legs + 9604 little cat legs = 10,990 legs

There are 10,990 legs in the bus

Brainteaser: Legs in the Bus?

I was sent the following brainteaser a few weeks ago. It's a pretty challenging math problem; it is not a trick question.

There are 7 girls on a bus

Each girl has 7 backpacks

In each backpack, there are 7 big cats

For every big cat there are 7 little cats

So how many legs are there in the bus?

Leave a comment with your name and your answer. The correct answer will be posted HERE next week.

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